Top US diplomat retires from Trump administration

Fifty seven-year-old Stuart Jones last post was acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, announced his decision to retire, just a week after head of FBI James Comey was fired from his post.

Jones told colleagues the decision was his own and that he had not been pressured to leave, nor was he fired.

"This is his own decision ... There's not been a falling out," a US official who refused to be identified told Reuters.

"There's no story here, except another senior government official with real competence is leaving."

A State Department spokesman confirmed Jones' planned retirement, saying he was leaving for personal reasons which revolved around him wanting to pursue a new career.

Jones is known for his experience in Middle East having served as US ambassador to Iraq and Jordan and also serving as deputy chief of mission in Cairo.